The Offical British Ice Hockey Thread

Post by **Calv** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:36 pm

Edinburgh also look a good side who could surprise a few teams this year. Michel Robinson in net has a very flashy glove hand and made a couple of nice saves with it. Rajcak looks a good player and Dustin was all over the ice all night. Hurtubise also has some nice stickhandling skills and Cingel is a proven points scorer at EIHL level.
They also have a lot of good young brits, namely Horne, Garside and Bowie

They have lost Blueliner Shawn Germain who was a big player for them however with a couple of signatures they could sneak into the playoffs again.

Post by **Calv** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:46 pm

Elite League Results 14th September 2008:
Manchester Phoenix 3 Nottingham Panthers 5
Hull Stingrays 1 Belfast Giants 4
Edinburgh Capitals 3 Sheffield Steelers 6
Coventry Blaze 3 Cardiff Devils 5

Elite League Results 20th September 2008:
Basingstoke Bison 2 Cardiff Devils 7
Hull Stingrays 0 Coventry Blaze 2
Manchester Phoenix 5 Edinburgh Capitals 4 (After Shootout)
Newcastle Vipers 4 Belfast Giants 3
Nottingham Panthers 5 Sheffield Steelers 4

Elite League Results 21st September 2008:
Coventry Blaze 6-5 Nottingham Panthers
Edinburgh Capitals 2-3 Hull Stingrays (After Overtime)
Newcastle Vipers 1-3 Belfast Giants

Challenge Cup Group A:
Sheffield Steelers 2-3 Manchester Phoenix

Challenge Cup Group B:
Cardiff Devils 3-4 Basingstoke Bison

Post by **Calv** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:51 pm

The table

Code: Select all

Pos  Team        GP  Pts
1    Belfast  	6   10
2 	Nottingham  6   10
3 	Manchester  5   8
4 	Coventry 	4   6
5 	Newcastle   6   5
6 	Cardiff     4   4
7 	Sheffield   4   4
8 	Edinburgh   4   4
9 	Hull 	    6   2
10   Basingstoke 5   1

Post by **archibalduk** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:48 pm

I was a bit disappointed with Tony Hand's performance last week, too. He really didn't make much of an impact. Still, I think it's a bit early to be judging his performance yet. I think so long as Phoenix need a centre then he'll be there.

A great start for the Phoenix but I do wonder whether they can carry this on for the whole length of the season. I sure hope they can!!

As for the Invicta Dynamos, they've had an indifferent start - a win, loss and a draw. Their next home game is next Sunday - I think I'll have to pop along to that one.

Post by **Calv** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:10 pm

all teams in the first page are up-to-date for the EIHL, I should hopefully have updated the EPL teams as well tonight

Post by **Calv** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:59 pm

All EPL rosters updated

Post by **Calv** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:33 pm

Elite League Results 24th September 2008:
Hull Stingrays 4 Edinburgh Capitals 2

Post by **Calv** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:42 pm

Some more suspensions have been handed out by the EIHL today:
Brad Cruikshank has received a 4 game ban, 2 for a sucker punch and 2 for bringing the game into disrepute, Curtiss Patrick also receives a 2 game ban for a sucker punch, both players play for Basingstoke and the incidents happened at the end of the game against Cardiff Devils.

It's also been rumoured that Belfast Giants Player/Coach Steve Thornton has received a 9 game suspension for a slash to the head of Vipers' Andre Payette although there's no confirmation yet I fully expect him to get a suspension for it, a video of the incident can be found here: http://www.stcentral.tv/views/play/191047919 although you can't fast forward through it...

warx · Post by **warx** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:02 am

My steelers have got off to a shaky start (including throwing the game away in nottingham). What we really need is a playmaker and a real power winger (no not voth).
It was a bit of an auspisious comment in the player intros about Tessier being a player who can turn an "average team into playoff champs", we were hardly an average team (2nd place and running coventry close would tell you that as well as CC runners up).
Im annoyed im gonna miss this season as im away in moscow all year, bt hoping for a change of fortune.

Post by **archibalduk** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:59 pm

Welcome to TBL, warx! It's nice to see another UK hockey fan. At least in Moscow you might be able to catch a Russian league game

Considering the season has only just gotten under way, there have been a heck of a lot of serious incidents!

I'm going to try and make it to the Invicta v Bracknall game this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes...

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:22 pm

Where do Invicta play Archie?

And is Nick going to the Phoenix game this weekend against the Steelers? Might see you there if your going.

warx · Post by **warx** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:10 pm

archibalduk wrote:Welcome to TBL, warx! It's nice to see another UK hockey fan. At least in Moscow you might be able to catch a Russian league game

Considering the season has only just gotten under way, there have been a heck of a lot of serious incidents!

I'm going to try and make it to the Invicta v Bracknall game this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes...

At least the league is not messing around and coming down hard, hopfully that will mean far fewer incidents as the season progresses.
Games here are cheap as prices range from 250roubles (approx £5.50) to 400roubles (approx £8.80). It also helps that there are 4 teams here in moscow. With the KHL splashing the cash it also means there are a fair amount of exNHLers to watch as well as the homegrown talent

Post by **B. Stinson** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:44 pm

Wow, those tickets really are cheap!

NHL tickets here in Philadelphia run from £10(you're basically hanging from the rafters with these seats) to about £48(the good seats).

Post by **Calv** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:46 am

EIHL announce further tough suspensions

News posted: 26-09-2008

Following the games last Sunday between the Newcastle Vipers vs Belfast Giants and Basingstoke Bison vs Cardiff Devils, the Disciplinary Committee of the EIHL wish to confirm the following decisions and suspensions that include the single biggest suspension levied against one player for one offence.

A league spokesman commented, “We are still in the early weeks of the new season, and this is the second time that the committee has had to preside over such matters. The league does not wish to be continually suspending players. However, the players and coaching staff need to appreciate that if the rules are broken, there are tariffs in place to penalise such actions.”

Steve Thornton of the Belfast Giants has been suspended for a total of nine games.

Following review, his 2+2 penalty for High Sticking has been upgraded to a Match Penalty for Slashing. The slash in question was made to the head/neck area of the opposing player and as such this offence carries a suspension tariff of five games. Furthermore, the committee has imposed a further three game suspension for Reckless Use of the Stick.

Todd Griffith and Rob Rankin, both of the Newcastle Vipers, have been suspended for one game each.

Both players were assessed 5+Game penalties for Fighting at 59:58 of the game played Sunday September 20th however, fight instigation in the last five minutes of a game carries an automatic one game suspension tariff.

Jez Lundin of the Newcastle Vipers was originally assessed a two-minute minor penalty for Cross-Checking. The penalty has been upgraded to a 5+Game penalty for the same offence.

Brad Cruickshank of the Basingstoke Bison has been suspended for a total of five games.

He was originally assessed a Match Penalty for Excessive Rough Play but, upon review, this has been increased by an additional two game suspension for Excess Rough Play and a further two game suspension for Bringing the Game into Disrepute.

Curtiss Patrick of the Basingstoke Bison has been suspended for a total of three games.

He was originally assessed a Match Penalty for Excessive Rough Play, and upon review, this has been increased to by an additional two game suspension for the same offence.

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:04 am

getzlaf15 wrote:Where do Invicta play Archie?

They play in Gillingham, Kent. Invicta is the name of the horse that's on the county's flag:

B. Stinson wrote:Wow, those tickets really are cheap!

NHL tickets here in Philadelphia run from £10(you're basically hanging from the rafters with these seats) to about £48(the good seats).

For a top sporting event, those ticket prices aren't too bad. In the English football (soccer) Premier League the average ticket price is roughly £40 ($74 US). To get a season ticket at Chelsea (19 games) costs thousands of pounds.

Space_Monkey187 · Post by **Space_Monkey187** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:26 pm

If there is any Edinburgh Capital fans out there do you think he will help us because every season we never seem to changed with a team with good players that never seem to get the job done i hope this can help us because am sick of are team never getting any where but i guess thats the problem with a team like the Capitals lol

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:03 am

I went to see Invicta beat Bracknell 5-4 last Sunday. It was a hell of a game - Invicta were 5-1 in the third period but they fell apart and Bracknell managed to score three to get within a goal of tying it up. They pulled their goalie with a minute to spare and all hell broke loose in Invicta's crease; Bracknell were frantically trying to push the puck into the net but somehow it stayed out.

The game was delayed for 30 minutes because the zamboni wasn't setting the ice very well. Unexpectedly, the side of the Zamboni's bonnet opened and all of this sludge fell onto the ice so it took them a while to clean it up. Even after that, the quality of the ice was quite poor - it looked like a paddling pool and the players kept falling over.

Judging from the game I saw, there really is a difference in quality between the EIHL and the ENIHL. The players frequently lose control of the puck (even when they're under no pressure from the opposition), often resulting in turnovers and breakaways. The quality of passing is quite poor too. But it's to be expected in the third division of British hockey!

They do, however, make up for it in violence! I've seen hard hitting in the NHL on TV and I've seen some in the EIHL when I've been to Manchester - but I'd say it's not as hard as some of the hits I saw on Sunday. I was sat right about a metre behind the glass and saw some heavy checks into the boards right in front of me. There was also an unpleasant check from behind - the Bracknell guy was bending over slightly and was nowhere near the puck but one of the Invicta players skated at speed and checked him from behind. The Bracknell guy didn't see it coming and went flying into the boards. I think he got a 2+2 penalty for it. Speaking of which, there was a total of 70 PIM throughout the game. There wasn't much 5-on-5 hockey at all.

It was an ill tempered game, too. During the pre-match warmup/practice, one of the Invicta players hit a Bracknell player with his stick and taunted him. Towards the end of the first period it looked like a mass brawl was going to take place but the referee managed to calm things down. There was a lot of fighting but only one time did the players actually drop the gloves.

All in all, it was a very entertaining game but it's not to the same level as am used to at Manchester. I'm probably not going to go see them every week but I'll be sure to see them every so often. Even though it's only a ten minute drive away, the buses on Sundays don't run after the game so I had to fork out for a taxi which is a bit of a pain.

Nick - you should come down for a weekend so you can see a game

Post by **Calv** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:18 pm

Grant Jacobsen leaves Manchester Phoenix for more money at the Texas Brahmas of the CHL.
Edinburgh Capitals have signed former CHL-All star David Nimmo, whilst Hull have replaced Jonathan Bernier with Aaron Wilson, another big defender.

warx · Post by **warx** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:45 pm

Riddle is axed by hull and apparently Kozak walks out

Post by **Calv** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:52 pm

The EXCEL Hull Stingrays today announced that the club has released forward Jake Riddle from the squad with immediate effect. Mike Pack made the following comment, 'There are always regrets when you have to give a player notice and although Jake has a load of talent, he has other issues with discipline and attitude which has prompted us to take this step. We are very aware that the overall team performance is what matters.'

The Stingrays have moved quickly to fill the forward slot and have agreed terms with Ukrainian born Konstantin Kalmikov. The experienced winger was a 1996 third round draft pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs and has over 200 AHL games under his belt. He has experience of the EIHL and spent the 2004-5 season with the Nottingham Panthers. The club will now be working hard on the paperwork trail to allow him to take to the ice as soon as possible.

Post by **Calv** » Fri Oct 03, 2008 11:56 pm

Riddle is rumoured to be coming to the Phoenix. He's a good player when he controls his temper, he scored a hattrick(iirc) against us last season, but I've heard he comes with some baggage so not sure if I would want him in.

Phoenix have exchanged contracts with their new player and the VISA etc.. should be done within the next week or so.

Post by **Calv** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:23 pm

Wednesday 1st October 2008
bmibaby Elit League:
Cardiff Devils 4 Basingstoke Bison 3 (After Overtime)

Results 4th October 2008:
bmibaby Elite League:
Basingstoke Bison 1-4 Coventry Blaze
Cardiff Devils 1-2 Newcastle Vipers (After OT)
Edinburgh Capitals 1-6 Nottingham Panthers
Hull Stingrays 2-5 Sheffield Steelers

Challenge Cup Group A:
Manchester Phoenix 3-6 Belfast Giants

Post by **Calv** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:31 pm

Went to the Phoenix game tonight and saw a very good Belfast team win 6-3. The Giants have a lot of speed and always seemed to be pressing the Phoenix, not giving their defence any time on the puck. Despite this Phoenix did look good during some parts of the match, we were on top for most of the first period until the last 5 minutes when we let in 2 to go 2-1 down at the period break. Giants came out strongly in the 2nd period and scored another 2 unanswered goals. It was again more even in the 3rd with both teams getting 2 goals, the last goal by Giants being a good breakaway effort shorthanded.

It will be interesting to see how the Giants' defence stands up against Nottingham and Coventry as they are very offensive...

For the Phoenix Clouthier had a good physical game and never gave up, Smith seems a good defencemen and Tony Hand got 1 goal and 2 assists although did have a breakaway with which he should have done better... Fulghum had a good game as well he seems to be a good skillful player just needs to score a few more

Post by **Calv** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:55 am

Results 5th October:
bmibaby Elite League:
Edinburgh Capitals 5-6 Nottingham Panthers
Coventry Blaze 2-3 Belfast Giants
Sheffield Steelers 6-2 Basingstoke Bison

Challenge Cup Group A:
Newcastle Vipers 2-7 Manchester Phoenix

Post by **Calv** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:57 am

Rick Kozak's ban has been reduced to 6 games from 10, and he is free to play in this weekends game against Nottingham(ironically)

The Offical British Ice Hockey Thread

David Nimmo singing for capitals